Nijjar killing: Canada reiterates Indian agent charge, Verma points out Ottawa's lack of understanding

The Nijjar issue continued to test the fragile ties between India and Canada as Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said that her government stands by the allegations that the so-called Indian government agents killed Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

India's High Commissioner in Canada Sanjay Kumar Verma, on the other hand, pointed out that the friction in relations lies in the Trudeau administration's lack of understanding of India's concerns over the decades-old Khalistan issue.

Speaking to reporters, Joly on Tuesday said "Canada's position has always been clear. Our job is to protect Canadians and we stand by the allegations that a Canadian was killed on Canadian soil by Indian agents. Now, the investigation by the RCMP is being done."

Speaking at an event at the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations on Tuesday, Verma said national security threats emanating from Canada are a red line for India. “

"My concern is national security threats emanating from the land of Canada. These threats are largely emanating from Canadian sections,” he said, adding that the two sides are engaged to resolve the differences.

“We are ready to sit down at the table any day and we are doing that and we are trying to resolve this issue,” he said.

Verma also talked about the Khalistan movement finding space in Canada as he termed the extremists as foreigners since they hold Canadian citizenship as India doesn't allow dual citizenship.

"The foreigners are having an evil eye on the territorial integrity of India. That is a big red line for India. Indians will decide the fate of India, not foreigners. If those Indians that are living abroad want to decide the fate of India, then they better go back and participate in the election process in India."

Meanwhile, three Indian nationals accused of killing Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year have appeared before a Canadian court through video for the first time to face homicide charges in a case that has soured Canada-India relations.

Karan Brar, 22, Kamalpreet Singh, 22, and Karanpreet Singh, 28, all Indian nationals residing in Edmonton, were arrested and charged on Friday with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

They appeared separately by video in front of a packed Surrey provincial courtroom on Tuesday to acknowledge the charges of first-degree murder and conspiring to commit murder and to agree to have their cases adjourned to May 21 to give them time to consult with their lawyers, the Vancouver Sun newspaper reported.

The three - believed to be members of an alleged hit squad - appeared before the Surrey Provincial Court in British Columbia province, the report said.

Each of them appeared separately from North Fraser Pretrial Centre wearing jail-issued red T-shirts or sweatshirts and sweatpants.

Two of the accused appeared in the morning while Kamalpreet Singh’s appearance was delayed until after lunch to give him time to consult with a lawyer.

All three agreed to have the proceedings heard in English and each of them nodded that they understood the charges of first-degree murder and conspiring to murder Nijjar, the report said.

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